Finding Independent Senior Living in Louisiana

For those born on the bayou and others moving to the swampy state, independent living communities in Louisiana make for an excellent long-term senior care option. These communities provide seniors with meals, transportation, housekeeping, recreation, and more. The seniors living in Louisiana’s independent living communities are healthy, active and have similar interests which encourage a strong and supportive social environment. You'll find a wide range of unique amenities at each community, so there's sure to be a perfect fit for everyone.

Cost Comparisons of Louisiana’s Independent Living

Louisiana has 17 independent living communities that have the average cost of $1,804 per month.

When trying to find independent living communities in Louisiana a good place to start is by comparing costs. Each community will have unique amenities and services, but your monthly payments provide access to the main features. With housekeeping, transportation services, fitness centers, and meal plans being the standard, you’ll be able to find a community that fits your personality and budget. Independent living in Louisiana varies in cost based on location, size, and the housing options available.

Recreation & Attractions in Louisiana

There are many historical sights to be seen in Louisiana such as the Oak Alley Plantation, Jackson Square, and the French Quarter along with other amazing sights such as the City Park, R.W. Norton Art Gallery, and the Biendenham Museum and Gardens. The City Park is bigger than New York City’s Central Park with trees older than 600 years and is one of the most visited parks in the United States due to its beauty. R.W. Norton Art Gallery holds a collection of American and European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The Biendenham Museum and Gardens has a beautiful garden with a huge fountain and scenery while the museum has tons of Coca-Cola memorabilia and a Bible museum with a collection of religious literature.

Louisiana's Climate, Geography & Culture

Louisiana can be thought of as having two basic regions: the northern uplands and the swampy marshlands along the coast. The Gulf of Mexico controls much of the weather in this region due to coastal patterns. The state’s humid subtropical climate brings long, hot, humid summers but short, mild winters. More recently, coastal communities and wetlands have been disappearing in correlation with rising sea levels. Expect average summer temperatures around 80 degrees while winter brings average temperatures of 40d to 50s. Louisiana experiences about 60 days of thunderstorms and 27 tornadoes each year. The state is also vulnerable to hurricanes. These storms tend to devastate the coastal regions and communities.

The French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean people that settled here have heavily influenced Louisiana’s culture. The large Creole and Cajun populations in the state greatly impact the cuisine, language, and music. In some places, you will hear people speaking Creole or French just as often as English.

Louisiana Independent Living Regulations and Laws

All rules and regulations of Louisiana independent living communities are overseen by the Louisiana Department of Health. These regulations ensure that all independent living communities meet the appropriate health, safety, and medical standards for each resident. Annual reports of are to be made public upon request, detailing any past violations and the steps taken to correct them. Safety and satisfaction should be the highest priority to your community and fellow residents, so never feel discouraged from airing your grievance if you think a violation has been made.

Crime & Safety in Louisiana

Sperling’s Best Places ranked Louisiana 52 on a scale of 100 (1 being the lowest crime) for violent crime and 50 for property crime; the United States overall ranked 41 for violent crime and 44 for property crime. Louisiana has many neighborhood watches, police departments, and crime stoppers who all aim to prevent and reduce crime in Louisiana.

Payment Options for Louisiana Independent Living

Medicare and Medicaid don’t cover independent living in most situations, so seniors in Louisiana will want to consider how they can pay for this long-term care option.

To start, Veterans’ Benefits can be used by a single person to receive $1,644 a month, with couples eligible for around $1,949. Surviving spouses of veterans may also be eligible for $1,056 a month. Seniors can also pay for this care option with their pension, savings, or other assets available to them.

If these things are unavailable, it might be necessary to consider how much money can come from a Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you are blind, have a disability or children, and don’t already receive a sustainable income you may be eligible for to collect SSI. Applicants must be U.S. citizens over age 65 in order to receive this income.

Finally, you may want to consider opening a senior living line of credit. This will allow the withdrawal of up to $50,000 of unsecured credit to pay for care as needed. The funds are sent to your community directly, so there's a limited hassle. With flexible repayment terms, you can only use the appropriate amount and avoid the need for collateral.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Independent Living in Louisiana

Just because someone enters an independent living community doesn't mean they waive their constitutional rights either! Generally speaking, all residents reserve the right to participate in their own medical decisions and financial matters. If you believe your rights have been violated, contact a lawyer familiar with elder law. You can review the Louisiana Ombudsman for more assistance in learning about and exercising your rights.

LA Independent Living Medical Record Rules & Regulations

State and federal HIPAA laws require all resident records and medical reports of services provided on community grounds are recorded, maintained and available to residents in a timely manner. These records are required by law to be maintained for a total of 7 years following your discharge from a community or medical facility in Louisiana. Also, you must be informed in order to authorize any disclosures of this information. To receive a copy of your records, a small fee may be required depending on the nature of the request.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.